Looking Like a Mountain Man, Friends & Family Fear for Joaquin Phoenix's Health & Sanity

Joaquin Phoenix is a far cry from his former self these days. Just three years ago he starred in "Walk the Line" along with Reese Witherspoon, earning himself legions of female fans and an Oscar nomination. Fast-forward to today, where he's looking more like a disheveled mountain man - hairy, bloated, and completely out of place in Tinseltown.

Earlier this year, Phoenix announced that he was giving up acting. Like most others, I assumed it was a ploy to get attention, that he wasn't really quitting, just looking for a few extra bucks on his next role. But now having seen pictures of what he has turned into, it's clear that there is something else very troubling going on in his life.

A source close to the actor said that those who know him are beginning to worry about his health, sanity, and overall well-being after a particularly troublesome year:

"For people who know Joaquin, it's been an incredibly traumatic year, filled with chaos. Everyone wants to help but nobody's been able to break through. His bizarre behaviour has everyone worried. It's just getting scary," said the source.

In 2005 Phoenix did a short stint in rehab for alcoholism, which could possibly suggest that some kind of substance abuse issue is the root of his recent erratic behavior.

Earlier in the year, Phoenix failed to show up for the "Two Lovers" world premiere in Cannes, disappointing fans and co-star Gwyneth Paltrow. His publicist's official line was that he was suffering from stomach flu. More recently, he has been seen hitting the clubs and bars of Los Angeles, prompting worries amongst close friends.

Obviously his friends know a little more about what's going on than we do. Just what made this year so bad hasn't been explained, but hopefully Phoenix can get the help that he needs before it is too late.